NHL Free Agents 2015: Rumors, Predictions for Top Remaining Options

Although the NHL free-agent market is a shell of its former self, there are still some potentially valuable assets available. The question is whether the remaining options want to sign now or wait until closer to the season, when interest may rise.

Signing with a team in the near future brings the stability of being on a roster, but the player may have to accept a lesser contract. In contrast, while waiting could increase the number of suitors as injuries arise, there's also more risk as the season nears and they remain on the market.

A popular option for free agents in this situation is a one-year "prove it" deal before hitting the market again next summer in search of a long-term contract. Let's check out some rumors involving players currently sorting through all of those scenarios after going unsigned during the initial surge.

Cody Franson

Franson served as a consistently effective offensive weapon from the blue line for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He scored 115 points, including 20 goals, across four years before returning to the Nashville Predators ahead of the deadline last season.

He struggled in his return to Nashville, tallying just four points in 23 games, which likely caused teams to think twice before offering him a lucrative deal. That said, there are still interested teams keeping tabs on his status, per Dhiren Mahiban of the New York Times:

The Pittsburgh Penguins, which would be the best fit from that group on paper due to their offensive firepower, have less than $2.5 million in available cap space, according to NHL Numbers. It's hard to imagine Franson taking that type of salary, so it's a waiting game if he wants to land there.

Otherwise, the Boston Bruins figure to hold an edge over the Buffalo Sabres based on recent track record. Though the Sabres' rebuild is highly promising, it will need to translate into on-ice results before becoming a top free-agent destination.

Prediction: Bruins

Christian Ehrhoff

Ehrhoff is learning the dangers of the aforementioned short-term "prove it" contract. He signed a one-year deal with the Penguins last summer but only scored 14 points in 49 games. Now he finds himself right back in the same situation for the second straight summer.

In fact, after back-to-back 14-goal seasons with the Vancouver Canucks, the veteran defenseman hasn't scored more than six goals in the past four years. That declining production obviously hurts his stock as he enters his age-33 campaign.

Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch reports the Columbus Blue Jackets are interested in Ehrhoff and have engaged in some initial discussions. They certainly have a need for another power-play quarterback but aren't ready to make the move quite yet:

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Sources have told The Dispatch that the Blue Jackets and free agent defenseman Christian Ehrhoff have had discussions, and that a deal could come together if Ehrhoff sits on the market long enough for his price to come down.

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Based on the lack of other buzz, it wouldn't be a surprise if that price drop does come. Ehrhoff would love more stability, but another one-year contract to rebuild his value may be in the cards. Going to a team where he would receive regular minutes on special teams is the wise move.

Prediction: Blue Jackets

Eric Fehr

While the defensive depth always meant some blueliners would slip through the cracks, it's a bit surprising a solid winger like Fehr is still available. He's 29, he's coming off a 19-goal campaign with the Washington Capitals and there weren't as many impact forwards on the market.

Not only did he show off his scoring touch despite limited power-play time, but he's also a reliable two-way player who's comfortable in his own end. He's not a superstar but still carries value thanks to his ability to fill multiple roles.

Yet, the links have been few and far between three weeks into the free agency. Craig Morgan of Fox Sports Arizona reports the Arizona Coyotes are one team to watch, with Fehr among those who could fit into their goal of adding a $2 million to $3 million winger.

The Coyotes are currently in rebuilding mode, which means Fehr could see a lot of top-six minutes if he does decide to sign there. As a veteran, it's probably not a place to sign for multiple years as the organization retools, but it makes sense in the short term given the limited options.

Prediction: Coyotes